Morphological characterization of humus forms in coastal dune systems: experience from the Flemish coast and northwest France

Humus profiles of dune soils on 46 sites along the Flemish coast and in northwest France were classified according to three classification systems (Delecour, 1980; Green et al., 1993 and Jabiol et al., 1995). These classification systems are not well adapted to young ecosystems on almost pure sand. Problems arose in the keys themselves and in the terminology and criteria which are used to classify the soils

Comprehensive and effective recording of edaphic characteristics of dune ecosystems as applied in the monitoring project of the Flemish coastal dunes

A project was set up in 1996 to monitor management regimes (shrub removal, grazing and mowing) implemented in different nature reserves along the west Belgian coast. The project integrates botanical, zoological, hydrological and pedological research at several levels (Bonte et al., 1997). The soil study aims to produce a comprehensive and effective system of soil description, and in this paper we propose the methodology used for recording soil characteristics at the most detailed research level. The initial period of the monitoring project runs for 3 years

Management of the Belgian coast: opinions and solutions

Since the beginning of the 20th century the Belgian coast has undergone important changes of which an overview is presented here. To determine the view of the Belgian public on the Belgian coast and in order to obtain their opinions and solutions to the problems along the Belgian coast, a questionnaire survey was conducted with a total of 100 respondents divided into five groups, all active in the coastal zone. The five groups included (1) politicians on various levels of authority, (2) coastal entrepreneurs and business people, (3) naturalists and scientists, (4) coastal residents and (5) tourists. Coastal zone problems, as perceived by the different groups, and their solutions are discussed. Former municipalities, in particular, were held responsible for the current coastal problems. Most respondents were skeptic about the application of recent juridical instruments (e.g. the Dune Decree), the structural plans and their power to protect the remaining natural areas. The root of the problems seems to lie in lack of coordination and communication between different authorities responsible for the coastal zone

Ecology, management and monitoring of grey dunes in Flanders

Grey dunes are a priority habitat type of the European Union Habitats Directive and demand special attention for conservation and management. Knowledge of the ecology of coastal grey dunes can contribute to this policy. Dune grassland succession is initiated by fixation and driven by the complex of soil formation (humus accumulation) and vegetation development. Leaching and mobilization of CaCO3, which are important in nutrient dynamics, complicate the picture. At present, grass- and scrub encroachment greatly overrules these fine scaled soil processes and causes substantial loss of regional biodiversity. Belgium has an international responsibility in grey dune conservation because of the limited range of its characteristic vegetation, flora and fauna. As biomass removal seems essential in grassland preservation, grazing is an important management tool. Evaluation of management measures focuses on biodiversity measurements on the levels of landscape, community and specie